®Monomakhos

Unia, Ukraine and the Phanar: The Cat’s out of the Bag

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According to our friends at orthochristian, the Ecumenical Patriarchate working in tandem with the Globalists, decided several years ago to use the Ukraine as a “testing ground” (as it were) for unification with Rome.

The following is a report presented at the conference, “The Influence of the Constantinople Patriarchate on the Fate of Orthodoxy in Ukraine,” organized by the Center for Russian Studies at the Faculty of Political Sciences of the University of Belgrade.  The following is a summary by Metropolitan Luke of Zaporyzhia and Melitopol (pictured to the left), a bishop within the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Here are some of the money quotes:

The events related to the non-canonical interference of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and his Synod in the Ukrainian church crisis and the creation of the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” (OCU) are rightfully regarded by many Orthodox hierarchs and analysts as part of a larger project aimed at unifying the Christian world under the Vatican’s aegis with the participation of the Phanar. The efforts of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to promote the idea of “first without equals,” as well as the active ecumenical dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, have led to significant changes in global Orthodoxy. In this context, the OCU project serves as a testing ground for refining methods and practices that disrupt the established order in relations between Local Orthodox Churches and skew the ecumenical dialogue. This report is dedicated to analyzing these processes, assessing their consequences, and exploring ways to protect the canonical order in the modern church situation.

And here’s another one:

Using Ukraine as an example, the Phanar is implementing a strategy of union that may later be applied on a broader level. Its initial goal is to form a new union based on the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” (OCU) and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC). If this goal is achieved, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Vatican will use the “Ukrainian precedent” as proof that the reunification of Orthodox and Catholics without changing their doctrinal teachings is both achievable and realistic.

Needless to say, you can read the entire article here:  https://orthochristian.com/164059.html  (which you can access by hitting the “orthochristian” button at the top as well).

As has happened so often in the past, Patriarch Bartholomew’s questionable plans continue to be foiled.  Sometimes events transpire which prevent Bartholomew from carrying out his plans.  The COVID “pandemic” derailed his “Apostolic Journey” to America in 2019, when he was going to announce some rather startling initiatives.  The Russian Federation’s defiance of the New World Order is another such happenstance.

That said, the question now rests among the Eminences, Graces, and esteemed laymen within his patriarchate,.  It is a simple one:  how long will they continue to allow the ecclesiological chaos which he has unleashed for the last three decades to continue?  There is no longer any excuse as everybody is now aware of his plans.  It’s not a “conspiracy theory” put out by “traditionalists” or “fundamentalists” supposedly acting in concert with Moscow.  Ultimately, the championship of Orthodoxy resides in the Church in its entirety –this means the laypeople.  At this point, it is they who will have to give an account to the Lord.

P.S. In the meantime, Patriarch Bartholomew is in Australia, hoping to salvage whatever is left of his legacy.  According to our friends at Helleniscope, a  statue of Bartholomew was unveiled.  It’s not ostentatious but shows him sitting on a bench, reading the new charter that was crafted for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.  (One that we are being told is the template for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.)

Here’s the money-shot:  “In the statue, the Ecumenical Patriarch is shown seated, in an unassuming posture, with his hands gently resting on his knees, holding a book, on which is written, in Greek and English: ‘The Constitution of the Church’. His face radiates peace and tranquility. The posture of the body exudes an effortless intimacy, while the general expression makes him approachable, as if inviting passers-by to stop for a while, sit and rest next to him.” https://www.helleniscope.com/2024/10/15/the-climax-of-hubris-and-egotism-bartholomew-unveils-his-statue-in-australia/

Again, as I said to my Hellenic brethren here in America:  the ball’s in your court.

Comments

  1. * House Panel Refers Andrew Cuomo for Prosecution
    Alleges false statements on Covid report. | John Leake *
    https://petermcculloughmd.substack.com/p/house-panel-refers-andrew-cuomo-for?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1119676&post_id=151027233&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=1fkpmf&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
    NBC News just reported the following:

    ‘ The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic sent a letter Wednesday to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland accusing the former governor of providing false statements to the panel when he testified on June 11.

    In the Republican-led committee’s referral, it says Cuomo “knowingly and willfully made materially false statements” to the panel during its investigation into the New York’s Covid-19 response. The statements in question stem from exchanges about a New York state Department of Health report on nursing home infections and deaths that was released on July 6, 2020. … ‘

    Will it be properly investigated?
    Or will Joe write him a pardon?

  2. The Evil one is playing both sides to exploit the weaknesses of men. To drive a wedge and pit one against the other. So that each one will be consumed with hatred for one another. This is done to distract from the need to look inward and repent. To keep us from walking towards salvation. A society can only do this together.

    Two are better than one Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For there is not a second one to help him up!† If two lie down together, both stay warm, But how can one stay warm alone? If one is added strength, two will stand before him, And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.† (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, OSB)

    If our nation is to survive we must shake off this Satanic delusion that is tearing this nation apart. We may not all agree but we can play in the same sandbox together. I think a good start would be to take the politics out of sports.

    But what do I know?
    I’m just a crazy Deacon🤪

    • *Patriarch of Alexandria: The Russian Church has
      disregarded every principle of ecclesiastical law*

      Patriarch of Alexandria: History begins
      when I say it does, not when it does.

  5. I also think there will be no Unia. What is more likely, is that the EP will trigger a schism within its own jurisdiction (and maybe other local Churches) through a bad decision (or decisions).

    I personally believe that the “Deaconess Issue” will be what causes the break. Fordham and the “St. Phoebe Center” operate unhindered and with the blessing of the EP, Alexandria seems to be doubling down, and even the Catholics have left the issue “open” (TRANSLATION: The Overton Window hasn’t shifted far enough yet).

  6. * Estonian Orthodox Church formally rejects proposal to join
    Constantinople’s jurisdiction | Tallinn, October 25, 2024 *
    https://orthochristian.com/164116.html

    ‘ The Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EOC-MP) has responded to the recent proposal from Metropolitan Stephanos of the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church (EAOC).

    On September 19, the head of the EAOC proposed at a session of the Estonian Council of Churches to create a Russian vicariate to subsume parishes of the EOC-MP. The proposal came against the background of state pressure against the latter, given its canonical connection to the Russian Orthodox Church, which Estonian Parliament formally recognized as a supporter of state aggression.

    The EOC-MP’s Bishop Daniil of Tartu read out its response to Met. Stephanos’ proposal at another session of the Estonian Council of Churches on October 17.

    The EOC-MP firmly rejects his proposal, citing several reasons: its recent statutory changes have already expanded its independence, its clergy and laity don’t consent to such a move, and it would violate the 1996 Zurich agreements between Moscow and Constantinople that re-established the communion that was severed after Constantinople created a parallel jurisdiction and established equal rights for both jurisdictions in Estonia. … ‘

    Imagine that!
    Constantinople to violate agreement?
    Who’d a thunk it?

  7. EP Bartholomew has done much damage over his long and horrific tenure. But something is telling me that he is not ignorant enough to detonate the nuclear bomb by announcing some type of union with Roman Catholics and/or uniates. Just a gut feeling.

  8. Well, well . . .

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txkNk76E3SI

    It seems as if the devil’s synagogue has suffered a decisive strategic defeat. Allistair Crooke’s analysis is becoming the conventional wisdom in the Resistance-sphere. I’ve heard a few trusted analysts say substantially the same thing.

    Evidently, Israel’s strike against Iran was a resounding dud. Israeli jets only got within about 70 km of the Iranian border before they were locked onto by a previously unknown air defense system (possibly S-400) that could lock onto stealth fighters at a great distance. They were supposed to be the first wave, knocking out Iranian air defenses in preparation for two more waves of devastating strikes. They panicked when it was clear they were compromised and simply fired their missiles. But none of them hit anything of note. They are guided by GPS until almost the time of impact and they were apparently jammed by something (Russian jamming?).

    So the Israelis declared victory and called it a day.

    Israel is vulnerable to Iranian attack, but Iran is not vulnerable to Israeli attack. Given the fact that the IDF’s best forces are getting slaughtered in southern Lebanon, that Hamas is still actively attacking despite its losses and that the Houthis continue their blockade, it looks to me like the days of the Zionist Entity are numbered.

    • If you replace “decisive” with “major”,
      I will agree with your analysis.
      Otherwise, I think it is too early to tell.

  9. I’m still skeptical about all of this. It boils down to whether they concelebrate or not. Certainly, that is possible based on the rhetoric of the Fanar. But unless and until it happens – or until Bartholomew makes some unequivocal statement that they will formally join with Rome or concelebrate – it’s really speculation. Not unfounded, but still. From the ROC’s perspective, those that recognize the OCU are already isolated. For us, the question would be who remains in communion with the Fanar after the Unia is accomplished. We’d have to break communion with all of them as well. But we are not there yet.

    I still suspect that much of the Church is just waiting for Bartholomew to go the way of all flesh and see who replaces him. Of course, it could be worse as easily as better.

    • According to Epiphany they have been concelebrating from day one. He had the expectation that they would come into the Ecumenical Patriarchate through him (i.e. Epiphany) until he saw the tomos and realized that would not be a possibility. This was his objective from the “get go.” Bartholomew’s problem is he doesn’t listen.

      Bartholomew and His Beatitude Sviatoslav had a conversation about bilateral relations between the UGCC and the Patriarchate of Constantinople two days ago with “significant focus.”

      “The leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation and ecumenical dialogue, especially in the context of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea and the planned meeting of Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew in Nicaea. This gathering is expected to be one of the most significant events of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year 2025, with the UGCC preparing its own commemorations as well.” https://ugcc.ua/en/data/head-of-ugcc-pays-official-visit-to-patriarch-bartholomew-of-constantinople-1255/

      I’m not sure what Bartholomew thinks he’s going to get out of this. There is already one pope too many and with His Beatitude Sviatoslav getting into the mix, Bartholomew is going to be the odd man out.

    • It’s that “waiting for Bart to go the way of all flesh” strategy that troubles me most in all of this. On what basis are the faithful laity confident that their now silent wait-and-see higher ups will appoint a reformer and not Bart 2.0? Doing nothing about the hierarchal garbage under the carpet RIGHT NOW only lets it rot your church all the more. Let’s not deceive ourselves into wishful thinking that someone else will single-handedly stop the stink while we do nothing. Is not this just as much as your church as it is Bart’s? If so, get out your brooms.

  11. Metropolitan Luke always seems to have a permanent frown on his face. The poor guy is also in an unenviable situation where part of his diocese is now under Russian military control, and part is still under Ukrainian control. Often described as a power-hungry bishop, he certainly seems to side with Russia on most things. It would seem that he is just waiting for the Russian Federation to take control over the rest of his diocese so that it will be “liberated”:

    https://babel.ua/en/texts/107519-he-was-constantly-hungry-in-terms-of-power-too-zaporizhzhia-uoc-mp-metropolitan-luka-is-suspected-of-inciting-inter-religious-enmity-who-he-is-and-how-he-became-so-influential-a-long-profile

    • I have a frown on my face, too. (Abject horror would be a more accurate description.) The Church just doesn’t look the same to me.

      It was Bartholomew who incited inter-religious enmity when he brought in a schismatic church, lacking apostolic succession. He could have at least ordained them, but they refused, choosing instead to snub the Church.

      You talk about the Russian Federation as if it controlled anything to do with the Church. The Russian Federation is a country, Joseph.

      Having said this, I imagine escaping Bartholomew’s version of a Gordian knot would come as a great relief to many, were that to happen. There would be no more little children who can’t be legitimately baptized or be given an Orthodox funeral when they need one.

      The shame is on Bartholomew, of course, but also on the other bishops. They, too, are complicit. Had they universally rejected the OCU, the child’s family wouldn’t be in this mess. The Church should have distanced herself from Bartholomew immediately. That way, there would be no graceless baptisms, chrismations, marriages, communions, confessions, ordinations, Holy unctions, and funerals within it.

      And now Bartholomew, the self-proclaimed “spiritual father” of “300 million Orthodox Christians,” over whom he is “first without equal,” intends to merge the Orthodox Church with the Catholic Church within months.

      If Christ were to return today, I imagine His first question would be about how His many servants could sully His Bride by whoring her out to a patriarch who has no love for Her, no love for Her sacraments, and no love for Her Bridegroom.

      Can there be anything worse than offering graceless sacraments to the members of the Body of Christ?

      • Gail, the Russian Federation has taken control over part of Metropolitan Luke’s diocese, making him unable to travel, serve and minister there:

        “In March 2024, the Russian Orthodox Church annexed parishes in the occupied territory of the Zaporizhzhia region. Luka reacted to this discreetly — he says that everything may change in the future.

        “‘Parishes need to live. A simple example: the priest ran out of myrrh. It is issued only by the bishop. How can I transfer myrrh across the military border? How can a priest from that side come to me? And what to do? Deny people Baptism and Anointing? The priest is obliged to stay with his flock and feed it. But even if I cannot physically come to the parishes, this does not mean that I am not its ruling bishop,’ the metropolitan reflects.”

        https://babel.ua/en/texts/107519-he-was-constantly-hungry-in-terms-of-power-too-zaporizhzhia-uoc-mp-metropolitan-luka-is-suspected-of-inciting-inter-religious-enmity-who-he-is-and-how-he-became-so-influential-a-long-profile

        • So what in what Met Luka said
          (or is here attributed to him)
          do you disagree with, Joseph?
          And why do you disagree?

          • Brendan, I am just pointing out that the Russian Federation, a country, does have some control over the church, and specifically limiting Met. Luke’s ability to serve his diocese. It’s really an impossible situation for him.

            His response to this, however, seems to be to want to make peace with the Russian Federation. As this article points out, Patriarch Kirill is still largely commemorated in his diocese. It suggests a viewpoint that his diocese largely still considers themselves to be the jurisdiction of the Russian Church and likely also wanting to be part of the Russian Federation, that is to be “liberated” by the Russian military, as parts of his diocese already is. I believe this is why Met. Luke is being persecuted by the Ukrainian government.

            One gets the impression that Met. Luke almost expects the Russian Federation to eventually annex his diocese in full, and he wants to remain in good standing as a faithful servant of Patriarch Kirill when that happens. He really seems to be betting on Russia rather than Ukraine.

            • As far as I am aware, neither Metropolitan Luka
              nor his diocese nor the UOC is at war with Russia;
              and specifically not “with the Russian Federation”.
              So he has no need to make peace with it.

              As for his “betting on Russia rather than Ukraine”,
              I think he is standing with Orthodox Ecclesiology,
              as befits the pastor of an Orthodox diocese.

    • Fascinating that the West is isolating itself from the majority of the world population responsible for a higher percentage of world production than the G7 and at the same time Bartholomew has isolated himself from the majority of Orthodoxy by founding the “OCU” and threatens to isolate himself further from the rest of Orthodoxy through a Unia.

      These are the fruits of hubris.

      • This reminds me of the headline to a story
        in the London Times from around 1907:
        “Fog in Channel. Continent Cut Off”
        Cut off from what, I wonder?

    • It would seem that Project Ukraine is failing on
      all three fronts: Military, Political and Spiritual.

    • Wonder what Pat. Bartholomew’s response was…the article says he just started talking about his journey to the land down under

      I think the Unia project ended with 4 things:

      1) Ukraine and the OCU itself

      2) Covid and all the chaos it brought

      3) Russia fighting and winning against the collective west and Globalism

      4) Together with #2: BRICS
      Turkey pivoting East.

      Patriarch Bartholomew for all practical purposes has lost all authority in Orthodoxy.

      • You’re correct, Petros. As you say, “Patriarch Bartholomew for all practical purposes has lost all authority in Orthodoxy.” But does Bartholomew know this? He seems to be living in a self-induced, self-contained version of the Twilight Zone.

  15. From the orthochristian.com article:

    “Using Ukraine as an example, the Phanar is implementing a strategy of union that may later be applied on a broader level. Its initial goal is to form a new union based on the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” (OCU) and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC). If this goal is achieved, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Vatican will use the “Ukrainian precedent” as proof that the reunification of Orthodox and Catholics without changing their doctrinal teachings is both achievable and realistic.”

    Goats are sheep and sheep are goats
    And this is so because
    They say it is so

  16. From the orthochristian.com article:

    “In his sermon, Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized that his meetings with
    Pope Francis strengthen the desire for a “common Eucharistic chalice.”
    https://orthochristian.com/164059.html

    One God, Many Paths…?
    One Chalice, Many Spoons…?
    Bring Your Own [Long] Spoon…?

  17. “In the statue, the Ecumenical Patriarch is shown seated, in an unassuming posture, with his hands gently resting on his knees, holding a book, on which is written, in Greek and English: ‘The Constitution of the Church’. … ”

    And which Church would that be, then?

  18. He is not looking at the empty seat as if he is inviting someone to sit there. He is looking in the other direction as if he hopes no one will sit beside him.